Beagle bonanza: Greene County hosts world dog championship
news@greenecountymessenger.com
WAYNESBURG ëƵ People from across the United States gathered at the Greene County Fairgrounds last Friday for the first elimination rounds of the 2022 Hunting Beagle World Championship.
ëƵThis is the first time itëƵs ever been in Pennsylvania,ëƵ said Randy Moore, a member of the Waynesburg Beagle Club who worked for a year to bring the prestigious event to Greene.
This yearëƵs tournament welcomed 242 participants. Dogs competed in groups of four at spots throughout the county, where they spent about 90 minutes per round tracking rabbits.
ëƵThereëƵs a lot more rabbits in this part compared to other tournaments,ëƵ said Trevor McQuain, a two-time champion from Cambridge, Ohio.
The Greene County commissioners donated the fairgrounds to the local beagle club for the weekend-long event. Mule Brand Gear & Apparel, Nite Lite, Okie Dog Supply and G&H Sporting Goods sponsored the tournament.
Greene County Career and Technology Center provided food, and the National Hunting Beagle Association, which awards four scholarships annually and gives back to youth hunters, awarded ëƵbonusëƵ trophies to winners in several categories.
The championship round will be held Sunday, where folks will meet at the fairgrounds before the dogs head to a field for their showdown.
ëƵ(Moore) has done a lot of work to make this happen for Greene County,ëƵ said Dude Bennington, of West Greene.
Most area hotels were filled for the weekend, and some folks stayed in campers on the fairgrounds.
ëƵThe tournamentëƵs about the same (as others),ëƵ said Brad Neff, a longtime Missouri-based competitor. ëƵThe host club has been absolutely amazing. The hospitality ëƵ has been absolutely amazing.ëƵ




